ABHA: Asir Gov. Prince Faisal ibn Khaled announced yesterday that no musical concerts would be held as part of this year’s Abha Tourism Festival or those in the coming years. Addressing a news conference here, he denied suggestions that concerts would be one of the festival’s important events. However, he said an operetta composed of national songs and traditional dances would be held during the festival that draws a number of tourists from different parts of the Kingdom and neighboring Gulf countries.
The ban on concerts comes as a result of strong opposition from extremists. Concerts held as part of the Abha Festival in the past attracted a large number of people. Prominent Saudi and Gulf singers such as Muhammad Abdu, Khaled Abdul Rahman, Hussein Al-Jasmi, Rashid Al-Majed, Rashid Al-Faris and Nabeel Shuail have taken part in the concerts.
Prince Faisal, who is chairman of the Tourism Development Council, said the festival would begin on July 8 and end on Aug. 21. He said the scarcity of water was one of the major problems facing tourism in the region. “This year we have taken precautions to make sure of an adequate supply of water,” he said.
Asked whether the global recession would affect tourists coming to the region, Prince Faisal answered in the negative.
He also refuted allegations that prices of hotels and furnished apartments and other services in Asir were higher in comparison with other places.
